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Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever
136 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Boudreau
2 books4 followersTimothy Boudreau lives in northern New Hampshire with his wife, Judy.
His collection Saturday Night was published by Hobblebush Press in 2017. His collections Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever (Stanchion Books) and Stepdad on the Dance Floor (Unsolicited Press) are forthcoming in 2026; his novel All We Knew Were Our Hearts (Unsolicited Press) is due in 2027.
He is an editor at The Loveliest Review. Find him on BlueSky at @tcboudreau or at https://timothyboudreau.com/
His collection Saturday Night was published by Hobblebush Press in 2017. His collections Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever (Stanchion Books) and Stepdad on the Dance Floor (Unsolicited Press) are forthcoming in 2026; his novel All We Knew Were Our Hearts (Unsolicited Press) is due in 2027.
He is an editor at The Loveliest Review. Find him on BlueSky at @tcboudreau or at https://timothyboudreau.com/
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2026
5 stars = I could have put it down, I just didn't want to!
Note: as a paying member of the Stanchion Book Club, I received my copy of "Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever" before the publication date. This is not an advanced review copy, nor am I getting any consideration for this review.
"Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever" is not Timothy Boudreau's first book, but it's the first of his that I've read. I really enjoyed his raw writing style, the way he doesn't flinch when he's talking about complicated issues ranging from first sex to the end of the world. There are no euphemisms here; he just writes what's real. And sometimes he elevates reality to poetry, like with this sentence:
"Some dragonflies prefer to fly backwards to visit the places they've already been, maybe they think there are happier times back then, something magical before everything started to go wrong."
Or the second-last paragraph of the story "See," in which a wife tries to get her husband to understand that beauty, though imperfect, can be found everywhere he looks, if only he would. The grandkids, for example: "Root beer on their lips, ketchup-sticky cheeks, grass-stained toes." Boudreau gives us so many beautiful details.
I had a bit of trouble in the opening pages, because I would have copy-edited the first story differently, and the comma splices threw me off. If this is the kind of thing that puts you off, keep pushing through. After that first story either the copyediting got better, or I just didn't notice anymore because I was so taken by the content of the stories.
Highly recommended. I also recommend that you set aside a chunk of time to read this book in one sitting, because you might find you don't want to put it down, like I did.
Note: as a paying member of the Stanchion Book Club, I received my copy of "Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever" before the publication date. This is not an advanced review copy, nor am I getting any consideration for this review.
"Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever" is not Timothy Boudreau's first book, but it's the first of his that I've read. I really enjoyed his raw writing style, the way he doesn't flinch when he's talking about complicated issues ranging from first sex to the end of the world. There are no euphemisms here; he just writes what's real. And sometimes he elevates reality to poetry, like with this sentence:
"Some dragonflies prefer to fly backwards to visit the places they've already been, maybe they think there are happier times back then, something magical before everything started to go wrong."
Or the second-last paragraph of the story "See," in which a wife tries to get her husband to understand that beauty, though imperfect, can be found everywhere he looks, if only he would. The grandkids, for example: "Root beer on their lips, ketchup-sticky cheeks, grass-stained toes." Boudreau gives us so many beautiful details.
I had a bit of trouble in the opening pages, because I would have copy-edited the first story differently, and the comma splices threw me off. If this is the kind of thing that puts you off, keep pushing through. After that first story either the copyediting got better, or I just didn't notice anymore because I was so taken by the content of the stories.
Highly recommended. I also recommend that you set aside a chunk of time to read this book in one sitting, because you might find you don't want to put it down, like I did.
February 28, 2026
Unflinchingly honest and raw. I especially loved the stories with passages that related the human world to the natural one. I also loved how the book was broken down into 3 themed sections according to the title: Love You; Miss You; Goodbye Forever. So proud of you, Tim!
March 3, 2026
★★★★★
Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever by Timothy Boudreau (Stanchion Press) is a beautifully produced collection that immediately feels intentional and thoughtfully crafted. The cover design perfectly suits the genre of a short story collection and the 5.75 x 8 inch trim size is one of my favorite details. It’s incredibly comfortable to hold, and the pages almost lay flat, which makes for an inviting reading experience. The interior is beautifully formatted, giving each of the 27 stories room to breathe across three clearly defined sections: Love You, Miss You, and Goodbye Forever.
I’ve long admired Boudreau’s voice—his sharp use of pop culture references and vivid descriptive language bring his characters and settings fully to life. While the first section contains some of his more raw, sexually explicit writing (which isn’t typically my personal preference), I still appreciated the emotional honesty and especially his skillful use of nostalgia. As the collection progresses, I found myself increasingly drawn in. Some of my favorite pieces—“Bug Facts,” “See,” and “Tuesday Doesn’t Have to Be the Worst Day of the Week”—appear later in the book and showcase his range and heart.
Boudreau’s craft is undeniable. The variety of literary forms woven throughout the collection demonstrates both confidence and versatility, and it’s no surprise that many of these stories were previously published in top literary magazines. I was especially glad to revisit “Grandma Told Us Her Favorite Day Was When They Bought The Satellite Dish,” which first appeared in Milk Candy Review, and “If Pat Benatar Was My Mom, It’d Be Over For You Assholes,” originally published in Moon City Review. This is a strong, memorable collection, and I highly recommend it to readers who appreciate bold storytelling and a distinctive, authentic voice.
Love You, Miss You, Goodbye Forever by Timothy Boudreau (Stanchion Press) is a beautifully produced collection that immediately feels intentional and thoughtfully crafted. The cover design perfectly suits the genre of a short story collection and the 5.75 x 8 inch trim size is one of my favorite details. It’s incredibly comfortable to hold, and the pages almost lay flat, which makes for an inviting reading experience. The interior is beautifully formatted, giving each of the 27 stories room to breathe across three clearly defined sections: Love You, Miss You, and Goodbye Forever.
I’ve long admired Boudreau’s voice—his sharp use of pop culture references and vivid descriptive language bring his characters and settings fully to life. While the first section contains some of his more raw, sexually explicit writing (which isn’t typically my personal preference), I still appreciated the emotional honesty and especially his skillful use of nostalgia. As the collection progresses, I found myself increasingly drawn in. Some of my favorite pieces—“Bug Facts,” “See,” and “Tuesday Doesn’t Have to Be the Worst Day of the Week”—appear later in the book and showcase his range and heart.
Boudreau’s craft is undeniable. The variety of literary forms woven throughout the collection demonstrates both confidence and versatility, and it’s no surprise that many of these stories were previously published in top literary magazines. I was especially glad to revisit “Grandma Told Us Her Favorite Day Was When They Bought The Satellite Dish,” which first appeared in Milk Candy Review, and “If Pat Benatar Was My Mom, It’d Be Over For You Assholes,” originally published in Moon City Review. This is a strong, memorable collection, and I highly recommend it to readers who appreciate bold storytelling and a distinctive, authentic voice.
March 6, 2026
LOVE YOU, MISS YOU, GOODBYE FOREVER…
is every bit as moving and heart wrenching as the title suggests. A book packed with emotion set in modern grit and reality. Life is not sugar coated by Timothy Boudreau. He tells it like it is, pretty or not.
A short story/flash fiction collection seldom makes me cry, but this one brought me to tears more than once with stories of grief, estrangement, and dysfunction. It also gave me some smiles.
The language is simple but powerful, with lines like, “We must allow ourselves to make brave mistakes. There will be opportunities for lyricism. There should be a place for deep feeling.”
I call this wonderful book a TWO TIMER, because it’s a book that I finished and turned right around and read again. It is that good. Five stars plus!!
is every bit as moving and heart wrenching as the title suggests. A book packed with emotion set in modern grit and reality. Life is not sugar coated by Timothy Boudreau. He tells it like it is, pretty or not.
A short story/flash fiction collection seldom makes me cry, but this one brought me to tears more than once with stories of grief, estrangement, and dysfunction. It also gave me some smiles.
The language is simple but powerful, with lines like, “We must allow ourselves to make brave mistakes. There will be opportunities for lyricism. There should be a place for deep feeling.”
I call this wonderful book a TWO TIMER, because it’s a book that I finished and turned right around and read again. It is that good. Five stars plus!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews